Williams rescues Rebels

April 19, 2009

FC UNITED had substitute Danny Williams to thank for keeping their hopes of squeezing into the UniBond premier division play-offs alive with a dramatic last minute winner at second-placed Ilkeston.

He fired in off the inside of the post to give the Rebels a 1-0 victory.

The win guarantees they'll still be in the running for a top-five spot when their league campaign reaches a nailbiting conclusion at the weekend with the visit of fellow promotion candidates Bradford Park Avenue.

It lifts FC up three places to third, where they head a cluster of five play-off hopefuls now separated by a single point.

But with three of those in hot pursuit of Karl Marginson's men - Bradford, Guiseley and Nantwich - all due in action again tomorrow, FC are almost certainly going to be faced with having to beat the visiting Yorkshiremen if they're to book a ticket to the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, Ashton United denied Eastwood the chance to clinch automatic promotion as champions by holding the leaders to a 2-2 draw at Hurst Cross.

The Robins threatened an upset when they led 2-0 through Gareth Richard and Iain Howard, but the visitors hit back to snatch a point.

Relegated Leigh Genesis crashed 2-0 at home to Matlock, while Witton Albion slipped nearer to joining them in going down as they could only draw 2-2 at Worksop.

Curzon Ashton rubber-stamped their place in the first division north play-offs with Matt Russell's stunning 25-yard strike giving them the victory they needed over visiting Garforth.

Vodkat League title-chasers New Mills seized on AFC Fylde's goalless draw with Newcastle to reduce their lead to just two points with Carlos Meakin scoring twice in the High Peak side's 4-0 rout of Ramsbottom.

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phil m, cumbria (19/04/2009 at 15:19)

Can't wait for Saturday, the players and staff have performed great this season, regardless of the result. Come on reds!!!!

oldtime red, salford (19/04/2009 at 22:35)

Come on FC. We can do it again.

Free Red, Manchester (20/04/2009 at 10:19)

This makes things simple. A straight three wins and we're going up. Anything less and we're also rans. Fantastic! Bring it on!

F C JOHN, LADYBARN (20/04/2009 at 12:57)

Another great day out for the FC army. Brilliant atmosphere - as always - top performance against a side previously undefeated in 23 games, and an ending in the true traditions of Red Mancunia ! The celebrations both inside and outside the ground were amazing. The police with dogs and God knows what else (what on earth was that about ?) looked on utterly bemused at the huge sing-song going on in the car park. Brilliant. And as for Saturday, well, it's going to be very, very noisy indeed. Even for FC, this will be awesome. And there will be absolutely no excuse whatsoever for not being there. Don't miss it !

Stad, Manchester (20/04/2009 at 15:56)

I cant beleive we are now third, a few weeks ago most of us were just expecting to consolidate this season but Margy and the lads have given everything they can to make the seemingly impossible a possibility and the 12th man (the crowd) has certainly played a major part as well.
Can`t wait for Saturday when we will probably need a big win as it will come down to goal difference (if my maths are right)if all the other teams win their games in hand. I realy hope we do it but even if not it`s been a fantastic season.

Frank Kelly, Didsbury (21/04/2009 at 11:49)

John I wish you would wax lyrical about the football instead of what is going on in the carpark after the game

F C JOHN, LADYBARN (21/04/2009 at 16:47)

To be truthful,Frank, it wasn't the best game I've seen, but the concensus around me was that both teams were really playing cat and mouse with each other for most of the game. Understandable in that there was so much at stake for both sides. In fact, the guy next to me forecast - with remakable accuracy - that the game wouldn't open up until the last 15 minutes or so. This indeed proved to be the case, with quite a few close shaves, mainly around the Ilkeston goalmouth. One of those days when, for me, the emotion of the day was probably more memorable than the actual game itself. Then again, the thing I love about FC is that it isn't just about the match. Even the most boring game can be entertaining with the fans - and the endless songs - that we have.

Si, East Manchester, Audenshaw (21/04/2009 at 23:49)

Just to please Frank i'll talk about football. Worth mentioning i suppose that Bradford PA lost 2-1 tonight so a win against them will probably do on Saturday to get us into the play-offs.

Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (22/04/2009 at 11:27)

It will all end in tears, mark my words!

Vegas-blue, Stalyvegas (22/04/2009 at 13:00)

I don't know what's more ridiculous, the kick and rush 'football' on offer, or Free Red and his chums getting carried away with it!

F C JOHN, LADYBARN (22/04/2009 at 13:08)

Oh hello, our resident Bertie is back ! Funny you haven't been on while we've been winning all these games. And now you have come on, no mention of pub football ! Amazing ! Don't worry, you sad trophy-starved fool, whether we go up or not (and it would be the first time we haven't) we will all just carry on touring the North and Midlands, making friends not millionaires, and having the time of our lives watching FC. Living as you do in your bitter blue world, that is just totally outside your experience or comprehension. Is it right you have a Ph D in teeth-gnashing and scowling ?

Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (22/04/2009 at 13:28)

FC Ladyboy - are you refering to me?
Calm down, Im only trying to prepare you for the inevitable disapointment.

phil m, cumbria (22/04/2009 at 16:49)

Probably more ridiculous are the two blues who come on her to comment quite often about things which they deem as a joke. Why do you waste your time on it then if it's not important. I know we'll be enjoying ourselves on saturday, win, lose or draw whereas you both seem to possess quite mundane lives.
Forza FC United. FCUM

Si, East Manchester, Audenshaw (22/04/2009 at 17:43)

Keep checking in bitters we'll be around for a while yet watching our pub football as you like to call it. Unlike you lot who are foaming at the mouth 'cos the oil merchants you've sold out to haven't managed to put something in the perennial empty trophy room this isn't the be all and end all for us. Simply going to the match and creating the atmosphere we do every week is what it's all about knowing we can never be bought! So feel free to call in on Saturday night win or lose as i'll still have a smile on my face..that is if you've both finished your homework in time.

Andrew Burnaby (23/04/2009 at 02:17)

It will be an interesting Saturday, with all the Cantona masks around in Gigg Lane. Reminds you of V for Vendetta- with the rebel spirit against the system.

F C JOHN, LADYBARN (23/04/2009 at 12:52)

Excellent posts, Phil M and Si. I feel sorry for those Berties really. I mean, come on, would you like to be condemned to a life of bitterness and disappointment, and walking around with a permanent scowl on your face ? Whereas we at FC are loving the whole experience that comes with being "The club that money can't buy."

Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (23/04/2009 at 13:53)

phil m, cumbria
22/04/2009 at 16:49
I dont think you will all be feeling so jolly come 5pm on Saturday, Win lose or draw?. Sadly for you it will be lose and back to the funny farm to watch your "real" utd heroes on match of the day later.

Simple Si, East Manchester, Audenshaw
22/04/2009 at 17:43
Calm down you clampit! its just a bit of harmless banter, apart from the fact you will get beaten soundly on Saturday, I just hope the local TV cameras will be there to record the tears and tantrums afterwards.

FC LADYBOY
23/04/2009 at 12:52
Well you might be right, we might be bitters but if your idea of watching pub football is your idea of "having a great time" Id love to know what your other hobbies are, and you call us sad!. By the way you are not "the club money cant buy", you are more accurately described as the club thats worth naff all!

F C JOHN, LADYBARN (23/04/2009 at 15:34)

Just the one question you blue muppet - have you EVER seen an FC match ? Honest answer please. I've seen plenty of yours, where half the crowd (?) is disguised as blue plastic seats.

Si, East Manchester, Audenshaw (23/04/2009 at 23:14)

Blimey Dukinfield Bitter three seperate responses full of vitriol and personal insults on just the one post today! I think you need help mate. Bring back Dash Walny all is forgiven! :-)) Forza FC!

Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (26/04/2009 at 12:36)

Oh Dear, Things didnt work out the way you envisaged did it?

Dukinfield Blue, Manchester (26/04/2009 at 13:07)

Free Red, Simple simon, FC Ladyboy, Prestwich Red, Beswick red, stad Manchester, Allan Quinn, Phil M Cumbria, Oldtime red Salford, Can you hear me, Can you hear me?, your boys took a hell of a beating!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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